Tag Archives: Home Improvement

Summer Party Décor Inspiration

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We all know what summer is actually about: countless of hours spent in the pleasant ambience of our backyards with a few of our favourite friends and family members. Yes, the moment that sun decides to honour us with its sizzling presence, we’ll be prepared to throw some of the most spectacular summer parties. Okay, so you’ve spruced up your yard, compiled the guest list, decided on the foods and drinks you’re going to serve…all you have left now is to decide on the theme of the party. How you’re going to decorate the whole setting is one of the most important things, as you’ll want to create a superb atmosphere for your guests. If you’re lacking inspiration, perhaps some of these ideas might help you create an exquisite summer party setting.

hotel_bel_air_oprah_winfreys_50th_birthday_party_january_2004That ‘70s Show

Summer simply screams bright colours, bold patterns and heavy prints. Why not consolidate this into one perfect retro party theme from the ‘70s? Colourful paper flowers, peace signs and smiley faces should permeate the whole setting, while you can always put up some old music records to contribute to the whole ‘70s glam. As for the lighting goes, a shiny disco ball is an essential part of the ‘70s décors, but a few lava lamps and glowing sticks will also do the trick. You can always set up a dress code where afro hairstyles, flares and fringes are going to be an obligatory part of the costume. Blast some disco music on the player and you can rest easily knowing that your summer party is a major success.

Summer Beach Vibe

If you have a difficult time deciding whether it’s better to throw a party at your own house or drop everything and head to the beach, perhaps it’s a good idea to try and combine those two things into one. Bringing the beach in your backyard can make a refreshing theme for a summer party and the best thing is that it doesn’t require too much effort. A few beach chairs besides the pool, a couple of sun umbrellas for the shade and some nice cold cocktails will easily do the trick. Embellish the backyard with some shell-inspired décor, put a few starfish around the tables, set the dress code to swimwear and you’re all set.

downloadKeep It Classy

If you aren’t really a fan of themed settings and simply wish to enjoy a nice summer day with your friends in a comfortable atmosphere, you can always decide for a simple and elegant lunch or dinner date. Decide on a monochromatic colour scheme, place a few candles in mason jars on the table and serve some good wine to your guests. If you wish to contribute to the whole classy setting, you can always opt for a dinner under a pergola or gazebo, light up the pathway with a few candles and serve dinner in your best china.

Movie Night

Instead of throwing an extravagant party with tons of people, you can always opt for a small, intimate get-together with a couple of your friends. A movie night outdoors on a pleasant summer night seems like a grand idea and all you need is to find a projector and a big canvas to place in the yard, create a comfy seating arrangement and of course – decide on a movie you all want to watch. Make sure to provide your friends with some cosy blankets, some tasty snacks and finger foods, and opt for a cool room rental, so you’d have cold drinks all night on the touch of your fingertips.

Everybody loves a good get-together, especially in summer when the days are scorching hot and nights are pleasant and breezy. If you have the available space and will, surprise your friends with a good summer party every now and then, and your summer will be filled with joy and laughter.

 

 

 

Increase Your Home’s Safety

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Owning a home brings along a ton of worries into one’s life, but perhaps the largest of them all revolves around security problems. It is important that you note that regardless of how many safety precautions you’ve taken and no matter how adamant you were about protecting your property, burglaries still might occur. This, however, shouldn’t discourage you; on the contrary, if even the safest of properties are susceptible to break-ins, think about how much you have to do in order to keep things as secure as possible.

image-5The ‘Empty House’ Appearance is a Bad Idea

Let’s start off with an obvious mistake many homeowners make. Making a house appear empty might save you some money on your electricity bill and does seem like an environmentally conscious thing to do, but this also attracts the burglars. The thing is, when robbers are targeting a house, they tend to observe it for some time – they will probably get to know your work schedule and all of your habits. Another way to make sure that the burglars are unsure of whether or not there’s someone at home is getting quality window shades. Keep in mind that you should occasionally use these shades when you’re at home, too.

Remote Controlled House Alarm

Remote control lock to a home.

Signs

Of course, having a certified sign from a security agency on your premises is usually enough for the burglars to give up from targeting your house. However, the robbers don’t need to know that you don’t own an alarm, either. Who’s to say that there really isn’t an advanced security technology installed on your premises? Additionally, owning a guard dog is an excellent idea, but even if you aren’t really into pets, you can rest assured that the burglars like them even less; food for thought.

Locks and Safes

Homes without proper anti-burglary systems and measures are thrice more likely to be broken into and this is a fact! We get it, no one is really keen on bothering with complicated locks, but it’s these complicated locks that are an average burglar’s worst nightmare. This is especially true if you own a huge house without any security personnel roaming your premises. Even locksmith experts are sometimes having a hard time getting into a properly secured house, let alone amateurs that take up a large part of the thief/robber/burglar community. Additionally, apply this advice to securing your personal things within quality safes.

image-4Alarms

Installing a burglar alarm is the first step towards achieving safety – triggered alarms are usually more than enough to scare the intruders away. A burglar alarm is a smart investment into making sure that you don’t experience monetary and sentimental loss. Proper alarm monitoring can go a long way in making sure that your stuff is safe.

Lights and Cameras

What do the burglars hate the most? Large amounts of light! In fact, even if a burglar is confident that there is no one around for miles in any direction, a lot of light will make any robber reluctant about their carefully devised master plan. There is more to LED lights than simply being environmentally friendlier and cheaper (in the long run, though) than the regular bulbs. These tend to shine really bright – in fact, it’s as close to the natural light as lighting fixtures go. Installing security lights is an extremely smart way to go!

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Alarms, quality locks, safes, security lights all serve towards the goal of keeping your home burglar-proof. Hiring a security team is always recommendable, especially if you own a manor, but the mentioned basics (and they truly are basics) will probably do the trick. Keep your loved ones and your valuables safe!

 

Injecting Some Much-Deserved Privacy into Your Yard

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The modern world doesn’t really excel in the amount of privacy it offers. In fact, getting some time to ourselves is becoming increasingly difficult even within our very own homes. This having been said, our yards are even more plagued by curious glimpses – our very own oases are no longer places of seclusion and peace. Well, unless there’s a way to instill privacy into your yard! Of course, building a wall around it is always a choice, but this won’t really play well with your neighbors as they might get offended, so you’re going to need to be subtle. Here are some easy ways to make your yard more private without being too obvious about it.

48c7255b44f3ee7905ce481f519fcd09Useful Backyard Privacy Ideas

Artistic Decorative Panels

Privacy screens are cool, but there’s no reason for these to be tedious – the more interesting you make them, the less obvious you are going to be about your privacy.

Arched Trellis

If there’s a building next to your garden, or if you’re lucky enough to own the rooftop of your building and a garden in addition, you will definitely experience privacy problems. Installing arched trellis is a very smart way to go here, which will provide you with some much-desired privacy, while still enabling you to get some sunlight in a city.

Curtains

If you want some optional privacy, going with curtains is a smart decision. They are adjustable and able to turn your open-space backyard into a secluded, private place.

044507ebedd41e2264863d30819eb0e6Outdoor Fireplace

On another hand, if a large object providing privacy is your thing, choose an outdoor fireplace and add arborvitae trees to this cozy-looking choice to completely privatize your backyard.

Ordinary Materials are Boring

If you don’t really care about what your neighbors think of you, you can make a simple wall. Of course, there is no reason to use ordinary materials here – instead of brick and simple fences, opt for bamboo for that popular Asian feel that these plants provide.

Patios

Okay, patios don’t really provide privacy by themselves, but they really are perfect excuses for installing mosquito nets, which very much do so. Subtle and useful, these nets will protect you from the nasty insects as a bonus!

bywater_tour_022_backyard_chicken_coopDon’t be afraid to use Typical Items

Regular and neutral garden items are also adequate choices. Browse for a shade sail online for that easy-going feel that these provide in a backyard. Experiment as much as you want with typical items in order to make your yard unique!

Plants are Great!

What better way to give your yard some seclusion than using plants? After all, the very point of it is lounging in nature. For example, a hedge barrier is a fantastic idea if you are going for that minimalistic look. However, if you want to be a bit more flamboyant about it, you can opt for a trellis or arbor, as well as climbing vines and grapevines – nothing better than a healthy, natural shade from something that will make your yard more private!

d8b4df00c20cdddb1c49a506efc900aaGreen Walls

As mentioned, natural decorative walls are an excellent way to go in your yard, but if you are looking for something more than a simple hedge barrier, using the popular green walls is a great idea! When in doubt, always go natural!

With this many ideas on the table, you’re bound to find something that suits your needs. If you like more than one, feel free to combine any of these into something truly unique. As long as you have enough space, anything goes and with a bit of creativity and dedication, this project may turn into a fantastic experience!

 

Design Tips For A Modern Bathroom

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Besides comfort and functionality, a bathroom should also have a little style. After all, we spend a lot of time in it and want to make it as enjoyable as possible. Use a combination of clean lines and geometric shapes to give your bathroom a modern look. Turn your bathroom into a relaxing oasis where you will enjoy spending time. Here are a few tips to help you modernize your bathroom.

image-3Make it simple

When it comes to modern design, simpler is really better. The idea is to keep the bathroom clean of clutter. This will give a feeling of an open space, which will also make it look larger. Use built-in shelves and cabinets to hide all items, such as a hairdryer, make up, perfumes and similar. Throw the laundry basket out of the bathroom, it will only take up space and is not a necessary item in a bathroom. Getting rid of the things you don’t use will not only make the bathroom look cleaner but more sophisticated and modern.

Choice of materials

In an attempt to save the planet Earth, more homeowners use eco-friendly materials in all parts of their house, including bathrooms. Using items made of wood or bamboo can add style points to your bathroom. Putting in a cabinet made of natural wood can freshen up the whole bathroom. Combine this with the right choice of modern looking tiles and your bathroom will look magnificent.

image-1Tiles

Ceramic is not the only option when it comes to bathroom tiles. Brighten up the bathroom with metallic tiles. These brushed steel tiles are sure to draw attention and they will give a bathroom a clean look. Glass tiles are also an option; they will make your bathroom look bigger. When it comes to tile color, going monochromatic is the best option. This will keep the lines clean and put emphasis on the overall design.

If you wish to add contrast, combine warm and cold colors. Don’t use complex designs in a bathroom, this will make it look busy and overwhelming. For a modern look, it is better to keep everything as simple and clean as possible.

image-5Greenery

Bringing in some plants into the bathroom will make it more sophisticated and make it smell nicer. It is important to use plants that can survive in dim lit room. Bathrooms usually don’t have a lot of windows and unless you have fluorescent light bulbs, this can be a problem. Also, use plants that enjoy high humidity; bathrooms tend to get steamy and humid which can kill certain plants. Nice smelling flowers are also a great idea; orchids, lilies and lotus plants are nice options. If you just want your bathroom to look nicer, get plastic plants or flowers so you don’t have to take care of them.

A bath or a shower

The choice on this one might be determined by how much space you have. A bath can be the main item in the whole bathroom; it gives you an option to lie down and relax at the end of the day. But they can take up a lot of space, so a freestanding bath tub is a better option in a small bathroom. If you are not a bath person, invest in a luxurious shower. You can save up on space by opting for a shower. However, you will need to clean its enclosures regularly. Also, if you have a problem with blocked drains, you can mix some baking soda and vinegar and pour this solution down the clogged drain.

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If you are looking to give your bathroom a modern look, then keep it as simple as possible. Don’t use complex designs, avoid cluttering and keep it clean. And bring in some natural materials and greenery to make it look more sophisticated.
 

 

Kitchen Trends to Watch For In 2017

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The kitchen usually turns into the most used room in every home. Family life revolves around it because that’s where we prepare our food. That’s why it’s important to design it with special care. It should be both functional and pleasant to be in. Functionality, when it comes to the kitchen, means the ability to move around safely and easily. It’s also important to design a kitchen in a way that makes it (or at least parts of it) accessible to all generations.

Here are a couple of kitchen trends to look out for in a year to come:

image-14Open floor plans

Open floor plans are a trend for a while now and that’s going to continue, because of the practicality of the whole concept. As the name suggests homes with this layout have one or more large open rooms, which functions as multiple rooms within a living space. It changes the living conditions in several significant ways. First of all, it allows for more social interactions during the day, it’s better for entertaining and having house parties. Open floor plans are also safer because it allows parents to keep an eye on the kids, while they’re busy in the kitchen. These houses also tend to have more natural lighting. The downside is that you have fewer walls to put artwork on.

Transitional design

Transitional style is sometimes called updated classic and it’s very well suited to modern kitchens. It looks simple and clean, which is important because kitchen should serve a purpose. On the other hand, it goes well with all the modern appliances, which sometimes look like something out of sci-fi movie. It usually means that working surfaces are made out of natural materials (like granite and wood) and the appliances make a nice contrast with gleaming stainless steel.

image-12Smaller appliances

Micro-living has started as a hipster trend and now it’s a widely accepted design choice. With state of the art bosch appliances smaller size doesn’t mean less quality. If you choose the right appliances you’ll be able to use your kitchen like a professional chef and still have the luxury of free space. Cooktop with two burners, 18 -inch dishwasher, 60-inch fridge and microwave combined with a convection oven are all you really need. Naturally, you might want to add juicers or soda makers if you’re a health junkie, but it’s optional.

image-9Go all black

For a long time, kitchens were white from the floor to the ceiling. No one really knows why that was the case or who made the rule, but that was the rule. As it often happens with trends, someone decided to do just the opposite and it stuck. If you’re redoing your kitchen in 2017 make it all black – floors, walls, countertops, and the appliances all come in clean and sleek black. It takes a bit more cleaning that way, but faucets, glasses and everything made out of steel, really pops that way.

Touch-activated faucets

Touch- activated faucets were something that only exists in restaurants, where they’re basically a necessity. Then they became a bit of a trend and now every cool kitchen has them. The most important advantage is that you can get the water running even when you’re hands are all sticky from cooking, but there’s more to them. It’s a way to waste less water and that’s something that is going to be increasingly important as the environmental issues become more pressing.

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In the end, kitchen (and basically your entire home) is a personal space. When you design it – think beyond the trends and imagine yourself living there and using it every day. That’s what really counts.